Daily Chess Puzzle

Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.

Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.

White to play

Caruana v Mamedyarov,  ,Round 8, Batumi 2/10/18

Solution

Fabiano crowned a great game (worth playing through, especially near the end, as Fabiano outwitted Shak in piece play on the dark squares).

1 f4+! Kh5   (1…Kh6 2 Qh8+ Qh7[] 3 Qf6 with the idea of Rh8 1-0)

2 Rd2! Qg7

3 Rh2+ Kg4

4 Kg2! g5

5 Qe8! 1-0 mate next move on h5 or e2.

Fabulous. This game alone will give Fabiano great confidence for his forthcoming world championship match with Magnus Carlsen.

FEN

3R2Q1/2r1q3/p5p1/5pk1/2p5/2P3P1/1P3P2/5K2 w – – 0 60
wKf1,Qg8,Rd8,Pb2,c3,f2,g3/bKg5,Qe7,Rc7,Pa6,c4,f5,g6